How to upgrade utility trailers and tow tools in style

Upgrade stripped-down utility trailers to move mulch and tow your tools.

If you have a 16-inch-tall angle-iron trailer body, you’re limited with what you can tow unless you add to it and upgrade the utility trailer.

I’m a trailer guy. Yes, a dump truck would rock for heavy haul-outs, and a big box truck would be great for storing tools and serving as a mobile workshop. But, depending on the day, the work we do may range from residential bathroom improvements to our Food Network bakery make-overs. We may also tackle a weekend DIY project like hauling mulch and a mower to a friend’s house. This variety of jobs requires the flexibility a trailer offers.

We can also leave a trailer at the jobsite and just drive the truck by itself, which isn’t possible with the aforementioned vehicles. Part FedEx, part dumpster, all workhorse, our trailer sees no end to its work … or play, for that matter. A utility trailer is a king vacation machine, too. Forget about jamming everything you own into the SUV. Put the bikes, beach blankets and Beanie Babies in the trailer and ride in style.

If all you have is the common 16-in. tall angle-iron trailer body, you’re limited to how much you can get in and out of a simple utility trailer. That is, unless you add to it.

Click here to read more about the steps of this how-to project on upgrading a utility trailer by Mark on Extreme How-To.

About the Author

‣ MyFixitUpLife Mark Clement, MyFixitUpLife
Mark Clement, MyFixitUpLife Carpenter

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Mark
A licensed contractor, tool expert, wood and outdoor enthusiast, and elite Spartan Race competitor, he writes about home improvement and tools for national magazines and websites, and teaches hands-on clinics for other remodeling professionals. Check out his book, The Carpenter's Notebook.

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Comments (4)

My dad is wanting to find a nice utility trailer like this. He has never bought a trailer before though so he isn’t sure what to look for in a good trailer. This article has some great points that I think can help my dad find what he’s looking for.

Jason–Thanks for checking in! Buying a trailer is kind of a blend of things, the two biggest being (1) what you’re hauling and (2) what you’re hauling it with. There’s a big difference between, say, a dirt bike or quad and construction debris. This trailer is 6×10 with no power brake so I’m not comfortable putting much more than 1.5 tons in there. And, my truck isn’t really made for towing (which includes braking) much more than that. One thing to do is to check out the specs on whatever trailer you end up getting so you can make the best choice. Please let me know if I can offer anything else. Let me know how it turns out.

Hey Johnson–Thanks for writing. I’m 99% you could roll a couple 4-wheelers on and safely secure them. I’ve hauled everything from tools to my motorcycle and beach gear in it. If you do much hauling of debris, I’d look into a dump-body style trailer. It’ll do all the same stuff and be a dump truck when you need it. Hope this helps. Send us some pics of the 4-wheelers. I love getting off road.

This looks like a very nice trailer to haul tools with. My brother used to run his own framing business, and he had a very similar one. I have been thinking about getting a small trailer myself of late. I have a four wheeler that I play around with sometimes. Do you think a trailer this small could fit a four-wheeler?

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